Upcoming FEd Sessions at APS and AAPT

Chandralekha Singh, FEd Program Chair

The Forum on Education program committee and the session organizers have put together an exciting program for the 2011 APS meetings.

March Meeting: March 20-25, Dallas, TX
Invited Sessions sponsored or co-sponsored by the FEd
  1. Enhancing graduate education in physics: Focus on skills, organized by Renee Diehl, Penn State University (sponsored by FEd, co-sponsored by FGSA), Thursday Morning Session V8
  2. Educating physicists for industrial careers, organized by Mary Lanzerotti, Pacific Lutheran University (sponsored by FIAP, co-sponsored by FEd), Thursday Noon Session W5
  3. Broader Impact: Partnerships and resources to achieve successful public and K-12 outreach and engagement, organized by Eric Marshall, (sponsored by FEd, co-sponsored by FPS), Wednesday Morning Session P5
  4. Mentoring undergraduate research, organized by Sue Coppersmith, University of Wisconsin (sponsored by DCMP, co-sponsored by FEd), Monday Noon Session B5
  5. Physics Education Research in upper-division physics courses, organized by Paula Heron, University of Washington (sponsored by FEd), Tuesday Noon Session J8
Focus Sessions sponsored or co-sponsored by the FEd
  1. New ways of communicating physics, organized by Leonardo Colletti (sponsored by FEd), Monday Morning Session A14
  2. Teaching computational physics to classroom and research students, organized by Vicky Kalogera, Northwestern University and Amy Bug, Swarthmore College (sponsored by DCOMP, co-sponsored by FEd), Thursday Morning Session V21

Contributed Sessions sponsored or co-sponsored by the FEd

Physics Education Research, Tuesday Afternoon Session L14

Other Sessions you should note

Water Cooler Discussion: APS Minority Bridge Program, Peter Muhoro and Ted Hodapp

The American Physical Society is launching a national effort to dramatically increase the number of underrepresented minorities who receive PhDs in physics. Come hear a brief description of the project and ask questions about how to get involved. (minoritybridgeprogram.com) Tuesday, 12 noon to 1.00 pm, (Room D166)

Tutorials and Workshops sponsored or co-sponsored by the FEd

Improving Your Skills as a Research Mentor, a Pre-Meeting Workshop, Sunday March 20, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Scientists often are not trained for their crucial role of mentoring the next generation. Based on a research mentor training program developed at the University of Wisconsin and modified for physics by APS, this workshop is designed to help you start to become a more effective mentor. Through case studies, activities and small-group discussion, participants will define the role of a mentor, practice communication strategies, and learn how to facilitate a more extensive version of this workshop at their home institution.

More information about workshops is available at www.aps.org/meetings/march/events/workshops

April meeting-April 30 - May 3, Anaheim, CA
  1. Excellence in physics education award session, organized by Paula Heron (sponsored by FEd)
  2. Physics Education Research: Solved problems and open questions, organized by John Thompson (sponsored by FEd jointly with the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT))
  3. Best practices in undergraduate research experiences, organized by Juan Burciaga (sponsored by FEd jointly with AAPT, co-sponsored by FGSA)
  4. Educating and exciting the public about physics, organized by Larry Woolf (sponsored by FEd, co-sponsored by FGSA)
  5. Best practices in K-12 physics teacher preparation programs, organized by Alice Churukian (sponsored by FEd)
  6. Effective use of technology: engaging students inside and outside classrooms, organized by Homeyra Sadaghiani (sponsored by FEd)

Focus Sessions sponsored or co-sponsored by the FEd

Integrating modern physics into the K-12 curriculum, organized by Peggy Norris (sponsored by FEd, co-sponsored by DNP)

Tutorials and Workshops sponsored or co-sponsored by the FEd

Improving Your Skills as a Research Mentor, a Pre-Meeting Workshop, Friday April 29, 1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

APS Excellence in Education Award Session, Sunday May 1, 8:30 a.m.

FEd Reception/Awards/Business Meeting, Sunday May 1, 12:30 p.m.

Summer AAPT meeting-July 30 - August 3, Ontario, CA (California)

Plenary Session:  Frontiers in Nanoscience (Monday Afternoon)

FEd Program Committee for 2011 March and April meetings
Juan Burciaga (Denison University), Alice Churukian (University of North Carolina), Paula Heron (University of Washington), Ruth Howes (Ball State University), Laird Kramer (Florida International University), Eric Marshall, Peggy Norris (Sanford Laboratory), Homeyra Sadaghiani (Pomona College), Amber Stuver (California Institute of Technology-LIGO), John Thompson (University of Maine), Lawrence Woolf (General Atomics), Chandralekha Singh (University of Pittsburgh).

Disclaimer—The articles and opinion pieces found in this issue of the APS Forum on Education Newsletter are not peer refereed and represent solely the views of the authors and not necessarily the views of the APS.